Question
Dear Laura
I've just inherited a traditional thatched cottage in Wiltshire, England.  There's a formal herbacious garden centred around a water fountain with two overgrown box specimens at each corner, ie eight in all. They're now about 6 feet tall and need pruning.  The soil is light and sandy and alkaline.  What I need is (1) a guide to pruning the box, and if possible (2) a planting plan for the surrounding beds, which I'm currently clearing of couch grass but don't know what to plant instead.  The main bed is about 100 feet long and faces the house, so I'm looking for shrubs which look good throughout the year.  Any suggestions would be much appreciated.  
Thanks for any help you can provide. As ever, Jim.

Answer
Jim,
Sounds like a cottage garden I have been reconstructing for 2 years now. Especially the Boxwoods. In this case it would be great if you could send me photos through email.
My email address is: [email protected].
If you can't for some reason I will study the question again.